Glossary
Antifouling paint applied to the underwater hull of boats in wet slips to prevent marine growth.
Bottom paint (antifouling paint) is specialized paint applied to the underwater portion of a boat hull stored in a wet slip or moored long-term. The paint contains biocides (typically copper compounds) that slowly leach to prevent marine organisms - barnacles, algae, mussels, and tube worms - from attaching to the hull. Without bottom paint, marine growth accumulates in 2-4 weeks in warm saltwater, dramatically reducing fuel economy, top speed, and maneuverability. Bottom paint is mandatory for wet-slip storage; dry-stack and indoor storage do not need it. Repaint every 1-3 years depending on water temperature and paint type. Boat owners switching from dry-stack to wet-slip storage need a one-time bottom-paint application before launching.
Professional bottom-paint application runs $40-$80 per linear foot of boat length; $1,000-$2,000 for a 25-foot boat.
Antifouling paint applied to the underwater hull of boats in wet slips to prevent marine growth.
Bottom paint (antifouling paint) is specialized paint applied to the underwater portion of a boat hull stored in a wet slip or moored long-term. The paint contains biocides (typically copper compounds) that slowly leach to prevent marine organisms - barnacles, algae, mussels, and tube worms - from attaching to the hull.
Professional bottom-paint application runs $40-$80 per linear foot of boat length; $1,000-$2,000 for a 25-foot boat.
Related terms: Wet Slip, fouling, hull-cleaning. See the StowHelp glossary for full definitions.